Recipes

Recipe of Žemaičių Blynai, a traditional Lithuanian dish from the Samogitia (Žemaitija) region. These hearty potato pancakes are stuffed with savory meat filling and pan-fried until golden. Crisp on the outside and tender inside, they are often served with sour cream and are especially beloved during colder months.

Cooking Time:
1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients:

For the pancakes:

• 3 lb starchy potatoes
• 1 egg
• Salt, to taste
• 1 tbsp flour (optional)
• Oil, for frying

For the filling:

• 1 lb ground meat (pork, beef, or mix)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Oil, for sautéing

Recipe:

1. Boil half the potatoes until tender, mash them, and let cool. Grate the raw potatoes, then squeeze out the liquid using cheesecloth. Let the starch settle from the liquid and return it to the grated potatoes.
2. Combine mashed and grated potatoes, add egg, salt, and flour if needed for binding. Mix into a workable dough.
3. Prepare the filling: Sauté onion in oil until soft. Add ground meat, season, and cook until done. Let cool.
4. Take a portion of the potato dough, flatten in your hand, and place a spoonful of filling in the center. Fold and shape into thick oval patties.
5. Heat oil in a skillet. Fry the blynai on both sides until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Serve warm with sour cream or a drizzle of melted butter.